Woking cadets go to Arnhem

5 September 2016

Four members from Woking detachment and two Adult Volunteers joined Hampshire & Isle of White on a pilgrimage to Arnhem this month to take part in an annual march of more than 40,000 armed forces members to commemorate Operation Market Garden on its 70th anniversary. En route to Holland, the cadets visited the Menin Gate at Ypres in Belgium, a memorial to those who went missing in the battlefield area. They also visited a tank museum, took part in a battlefield study visiting key locations in the Arnhem area and laid a wreath at Oosterbeek War Cemetery in remembrance of those who did not return.

Prior to the trip, Cadets Da Silva, Saker, Martin and Rzayev each researched a local soldier from that time who sadly lost their lives for their country and were buried in the cemetery at Arnhem. They located and laid a memorial cross at their graves.

In September 1944, during the Second World War, Operation Market Garden was a daring allied airborne mission to capture a series of bridges crossing the River Rhine in Holland to allow allied forces to thrust into Germany to shorten the war and free Europe. Capturing and holding up the Arnhem Bridge for two days, deep behind enemy lines, was key to the success. However, two days before, two German armoured divisions moved into the area and the only allied troops to reach the bridge were elements of the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment (2 Para), who managed to capture and hold it, against overwhelming odds, for nine days. With no ammunition, medical supplies or food, the surviving troops withdrew by swimming across the treacherous River Rhine at night.

Since then, the Dutch have been eternally grateful for the determined eff orts of the British and allied troops, and Arnhem Bridge was renamed the John Frost Bridge after Lieutenant Colonel John Frost, commander of 2 Para.

Every September for the last 70 years, forces members and cadets come from all over the world to take part in the famous Arnhem Marches to commemorate the brave and determined efforts of the armed forces of all nationalities and the people of Arnhem. As the 40,000 marchers completed their challenge, members of the public joined in. “The atmosphere during the march was just amazing. I would do it all over again,” said Cadet Saker.

The cadets returned home proudly honoured with a medal and an experience of a lifetime they’ll never forget.